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Don't criticize what you don't know

Editor, Index-Tribune:

As a teacher with 20 years of experience, I would like to comment on a recent opinion piece about the treatment of schools and public education in general.

Many people, especially those who have never taught, think that schools need to either be dismantled or ignored.

There are also many people who simplistically think that the problems facing our schools will respond to antiquated one-size-fits-all solutions. Others like to blame teachers for curricular or programming problems over which they have little or no control.

Private sector solutions often lack continuity and expertise and cause more problems than they solve.

 I am certainly the first one to admit that I have not always been an ideal teacher and, like so many others, I have learned through making mistakes.

Indeed, the system itself is often a work in progress which struggles to meet the needs of a changing population.

Teaching is a very difficult and stressful job.

Those who are lazy enough to point fingers at the public school system should realize the folly of criticizing things that they don't know about.

 Ronald Lemley

Sonoma